What original documents should I obtain after buying a house?

tristanjourney

Hi all,

Just wondering what original documents should I obtain after buying a house?

I would expect to receive all original documents that vender has provided during the conveyancing process, e.g., plan permission approval letter, building regulations approval letter and design plan of extension/loft, guarantees.

Are those original document normally being left by vender into the house or post through solicitors?

Thank you in advance for all your advices and helps.

davidmcn

You won't necessarily get (or need) originals, copies will be fine.

LilElvis

Not all guarantees are transferable.

AlexMac

Depends on your solicitor; so ask em.

I generally prefer solicitors who know about email, so I tend to keep most stuff as e-copies, but some solicitors prefer to give you documents in hard copy. In respect of my freehold current home and a holiday flat, I have things like

- Extract from the Land registry; a download and associated plan (what used to be called deeds in the pre-computer age) which defines what you're buying
- a Lease (if it's a leasehold property)
- solicitor's report on title (their commentary on any features of the freehold property or lease and what the searches have revealed; the best ones will talk you through this in case there are any features such as restrictions on use, pets or subsequent alterations, whether you do these or can sub-let with or without Freeholder permission, if Holiday Lets are banned as is common...)
- If Leasehold; any service-charges, maintenance fees, past accounts from the Freeholder, any statutory notices about future planned work which you may have to contribute to, Buildings Insurance certificates, etc (if it's freehold you insure it yourself, generally) Fire Risk and Asbestos survey on communal areas...
- Local Authority Search from the Council (planning, roads...)
- detail of any protected trees on the site (my solicitor insisted I check my two were still there before exchange, as I'd inherit the problem if not)
- Drainage and sewerage search from the Water Company; flood risk
- the vendor's (and any Freeholder's) written responses to standard pre-sale enquiries; anything from whether they are taking/ leaving or trying to sell you the curtains, washing machine, dog, etc, and, if they respond honestly to these Q's any building work or replacement windows they've done, who owns or maintains boundary fences, any past neighbour disputes...
- detail of any of the above; Council Building Regs sign-off for any works, Electrical and Gas installation or certification paperwork, guaratntees if any of works or damp-proofing, any underpinning or other major Buildings Insurance claims...

and if you've asked, or if the Solicitor decides to commission them off their own bat; added searches like

- Environmental Search (maybe Radon Risk based on the British Geological Survey, any old pits, tips, storage tanks or knackers yards...)
- "Plan-search Plus " enhanced environmental reports,
- Chancel Check in case the local Diocese comes after you for cash when the local Church burns down (don't ask- it's mad!)

(and probably lots of stuff I've forgotten)

Rather sadly, you don't get real "Deeds" nowadays; a pity, as my mate once got a complete crumbling description of every owner loans/ mortgage and usage since their gaff - a converted Victorian Baker's shop and the house next door - was build well over 100 years ago.

Well you did ask, and it's raining so I can't get out more!

Davesnave

AlexMac wrote: »

Well you did ask...!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: